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Creating a Compelling Email Subject Line

Posted on 03/05/2018

In 2017, the average worker received approximately 121 emails per day. Broken down over an eight-hour work day, that’s an email almost every four minutes. For companies, small businesses and individuals utilizing email marketing, these kind of statistics can be daunting.

With consumers being bombarded by so many emails, how can your email marketing efforts stand out from the crowd? One way is through an engaging email subject line. According to HubSpot, 47% of email recipients decide whether or not to open an email based solely on the subject line. An email subject line can ensure viewers actually open the email, read it and act upon it. So, how do you create a compelling email subject line? Here’s how.

1. Know your audience.
First and foremost, the best email marketers know their target audience inside and out. While some messages might go out to your entire email list, be sure to also segment your lists into different categories, so you can send more applicable emails to specific audience members. Utilize forms, personal preferences and information you already have about your current customers to really get to know your audience and send personalized messages with subject lines that apply specifically to them.

2. Personalize the message.
Speaking of personalization, once you have various lists compiled based on different categories, take your email personalization a step further. Items such as the receiver’s name, location and even preferences are called personalization tokens, and can help make a huge difference in the overall effectiveness of your email. In fact, emails including the first name of the recipient in their subject line have demonstrated an overall higher click-through rate than those that did not. Include personalized touches in your subject line for a more compelling email.

3. Keep it short and sweet.
When it comes to drafting the subject line for your email, be sure to keep it short and sweet, with an emphasis on action-oriented language. Keep in mind that people tend to scan their inboxes very quickly, so use concise language that draws a fast reaction. Email subject lines will be cut off if they’re too long, particularly on mobile devices. And since 67% of email opens now take place on mobile (Movable Ink), it’s best to keep your subject lines at 50 characters or less. Remove excess words and use short, compelling words to drive your point home efficiently.

4. Choose a familiar address.
On the other hand, it really doesn’t matter how compelling your subject line is, if the “from” address people see is someone they don’t want to hear from. Name recognition matters, not just in personalization for the consumer, but for the marketer, as well. No one likes talking to a robot. Instead, avoid using a generic email address to send from and opt for a real person. For example, “John Smith, Business” is going to get a much higher engagement rate than simply sending an email from “Business,” or “noreply@business.com.”

5. Make people feel important.
Finally, treat your email list as a sort of “private party” by making current subscribers feel important. After all, they are a valuable component of the business. When people feel like they’re on the inside of something, it builds a sense of trust and loyalty, which will help grow your consumer base and better convert your emails. For example, use language such as, “See this exclusive offer for you,” or “You’re privately invited to our event.” This type of language in the subject line can draw in click-throughs and improve your overall engagement on email.

An email subject line can have a powerful impact on a business. It can reconnect old customers, bring in new customers and even drive sales. Try out some of these tips next time you want to send out your marketing messages, to draft the most compelling email subject line possible.